Received the Presidential Medal Freedom for his role in the Apollo 13
mission.
Became the Director of Mission Operations in 1983. Retired from NASA in
1994.
Developed his interest in space flight well before he started his NASA
career. Wrote an essay in high school called "The Design and
Possibilities of the Interplanetary Rocket.".
When he was in the Air Force, he named his F-86 Sabre "My Darling Marta.".